~Chapter 25~
“…Have you been well?”
No, that didn’t sound right.
“Are you feeling okay these days?”
Still sounded weird.
“About the last time we met…”
Now even his expression looked awkward.
Ricardo frowned at himself in the mirror.
Everything about him felt off.
He was only practicing a normal greeting, but everything felt wrong—his voice, his face, all of it.
He touched his neck and then rubbed his face roughly.
Ricardo gave himself a bitter smile.
The man she liked—Leonhardt—he and Ricardo were nothing alike.
Leon looked like a dog—his eyes were fierce when looking at Ricardo, but when he looked at her, they softened like a loyal puppy wagging its tail.
What did she like about that dog-like guy anyway?
…Maybe she just liked swordsmen?
But Ricardo was one too. He was the heir of House Hessen, known as the Empire’s Sword. No one could rival his skill.
So why?
Why wasn’t he enough?
Maybe… because of how ugly he looked right now.
He ruffled his hair awkwardly.
His face, his eyes, even his hands—they all felt strange.
No matter how much he fixed his hair or sprayed expensive oils, nothing changed.
Ricardo looked around.
There were piles of clothes thrown across the sofa—he’d changed over and over again, trying to look better.
So this is what I’ve been wearing all this time?
No wonder she grew tired of me.
Even if Bianca wore rags, she would still look good.
She’s always been beautiful.
Her sharp eyes would soften whenever she smiled.
When she was nervous, she’d grip her dress tightly. When she was angry, her eyes would flash.
Everything about her screamed: Bianca Roygin.
She didn’t even need perfume—she always smelled like lavender.
Not some faint scent, but a vivid, fresh kind—like walking through a garden in bloom.
Ricardo straightened his tie and stood in front of the mirror again.
His reflection looked tense, his jaw tight.
“Damn it… look at this stupid face…”
He furrowed his brows, then cleared his throat and practiced speaking:
“Did you bring the breakup letter?”
…
“Do you really have to break up with me?”
He knew there would be no answer, and yet… he imagined her voice.
“Ricardo, I like you.”
“So even if you hate someone like me, just deal with it.”
Her voice—young, arrogant, and full of emotion.
Ricardo chuckled softly.
But when he snapped out of it, there was only his own reflection staring back.
His chest felt empty. So small and pathetic.
But still, he kept talking—
“Shouldn’t you stay by my side, and say all those cruel things you’ve been holding in?”
At this point, he was ready to accept anything she said.
No matter how strange or harsh it was.
If she said she wanted to kill him, he would gladly offer the back of his head.
If she asked for another ridiculous favor, like before, he would do it.
What he wanted—was for her time to be wasted on him.
Even that would be enough.
“If you walk away like this… then you’ll never get an apology from me.”
Had he ever felt this powerless before?
No—never.
Ricardo stared at his cold, lifeless reflection, then grabbed his coat and left the room.
Even though he knew how this would end, his feet felt light as he walked to see her.
It didn’t matter why, but he was going to see her.
That alone was enough.
He would find a way to keep her by his side.
Somehow.
Maybe—just maybe—things could still change.
…Maybe she’ll smile like it’s nothing and stay by my side.
“Your Grace.”
As Ricardo walked down the hallway, Benjamin approached him.
“I’m busy right now. Let’s talk later,” Ricardo said.
“Um, but…”
Benjamin hesitated, then held out a jacket and a letter.
Ricardo stopped walking.
“…Lady Bianca sent this.”
It was the breakup letter—and his jacket.
No note, no words.
So cold, and yet her way of saying “no.”
“She said to please sign and return it by tomorrow.”
She entered his world without permission—and yet now, she was the one leaving without hesitation.
The place she once filled… was now an empty void.
Nothing else could fill it.
“Hah…”
Ricardo’s eyes darkened with helpless frustration.
Bianca, you’ve always done things your way.
When we were young, the only thing I learned from you was how to be stubborn.
So now, I’ll follow that same path.
He crumpled the breakup letter in his hand.
From now on, I’ll do whatever I want.
And if that’s wrong, then you’ll have to come tell me yourself.
***
Suddenly, I got chills and instinctively turned around.
“Miss?” Allen called out.
“…It’s nothing.”
Just now—I had a really bad feeling for some reason.
Allen looked puzzled, but took the basket from the shop owner and smiled.
“It’s a relief we were able to get at least a few Moliah berries.”
“Yeah, seriously.”
The berries looked ugly—dull and bluish—but they were the only known way to slow Grandfather’s illness.
I wondered… how much time does Grandfather have left?
Thinking about the future just made me feel heavy.
Sigh…
While I fidgeted with a berry, Allen spoke gently.
“Wouldn’t it have been better if you gave the breakup letter in person?”
“…What?”
Was he seriously suggesting I go see Ricardo?
I stared at him, speechless.
Allen, looking flustered, quickly explained.
“I just meant—if you had thrown the letter in his face, maybe it would’ve felt more satisfying.”
“…Allen, have you been reading too many romance novels?”
“No, Miss. I think you just don’t have enough romance in your life.”
Was that really romantic?
Besides, I was never even that mad at Ricardo.
Sure, our conversations were always exhausting, but it wasn’t like I hated him.
Allen seemed to realize I wasn’t in a good mood, so he quickly changed the subject.
“Oh—by the way. Are none of the extended family coming to the coronation?”
“Nope. We’re not exactly on good terms.”
Allen nodded, a little bitterly.
Cedric and I weren’t close with the extended family.
Actually, things were almost hostile.
It all started after the Magical War.
Grandfather was praised as a war hero, but tragedy followed.
His entire family—his wife, his children—had all died in “accidents.”
Only Cedric and I were left.
The extended family called it “the price of war” and thought Grandfather was cursed.
From what I’d heard, Cedric first brought me—little Bianca—to one of the extended relatives’ houses, expecting Grandfather would reject us.
But instead of accepting us, they kicked us out, saying they didn’t want to “catch the curse.”
It wasn’t until later that Grandfather heard the news—and came to bring us home himself.
“It was too cruel,” Allen said. “Lord Bluea ended the war, and yet they treated the young heirs like that…”
“…”
“There was no need to be so heartless to you or Young Master Cedric.”
He was right.
They could’ve just politely said no.
Maybe then, things wouldn’t have turned out so badly.
But honestly… I didn’t care.
As long as I had Grandfather and Cedric, I didn’t need anyone else.
Besides, if we were close with the extended family, the house would be full of guests for days.
Quiet is better anyway.
***
…At least, that’s what I thought.
“Oh heavens, how terrible! What a shameful thing!”
“Are you okay, sister? If it were me, I’d be too embarrassed to ever leave my room… But you’re so strong!”
I just blinked in shock, watching my great-aunt and cousin cry while holding onto me.
Why was I so flustered?
Well…
It wasn’t just because they were acting dramatic.
It was because—
I had only met these people three times in my entire life.
Including right now.
